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Erlo Stegen

Erlo Hartwig Stegen (1935 - 2023). South African missionary and revivalist of German descent, born on Mbalane farm near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to Hermannsburg missionary descendants. Raised Lutheran, he left school after grade 10 to farm but felt called to ministry in 1952, evangelizing rural Zulus under apartheid. After 12 years of preaching with few lasting conversions, he experienced a transformative revival in 1966 at Maphumulo, marked by repentance and reported miracles. In 1970, he founded KwaSizabantu Mission (“place where people are helped”) in Kranskop, which grew into a self-sustaining hub with farms, a water bottling plant, and schools, serving thousands. Stegen authored Revival Among the Zulus and preached globally, establishing churches in Europe by 1980. Married with four daughters, he mentored Zulu leaders and collaborated with theologian Kurt Koch. His bold preaching drew 3 million visitors to KwaSizabantu over decades.
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Sermon Summary
Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of fleeing youthful lusts and pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace, as outlined in 2 Timothy 2:22. He shares the story of a young couple who prioritized God's blessing above all else, enduring hardships but receiving immense blessings in return. Stegen warns that those who do not heed the call to flee from youthful lusts, which include not just sexual sins but also pride and haughtiness, may be considered 'church heathen.' He encourages believers to surround themselves with those who share a pure heart and a commitment to following Jesus wholeheartedly. The sermon serves as a call to repentance for those who appear godly but deny the power of true faith.
Follow After Righteousness
2Tim2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Louis Harms tells of a young couple who wanted God's blessing above all else, and they received untold hardships, but also untold blessings. Read their full story here. When we see how these people put Jesus first - before marriage, career, wealth and even life itself - it should move us to fully follow Jesus with all our hearts and propagate His Gospel. They truly obeyed this word to flee youthful lusts and God could use them in propagating His Gospel. Those that don't obey this word to flee youthful lusts, are heathen, even though they're in church, they're church heathen. To flee youthful lusts, you must pursue righteousness, and be in earnest to do it. Be in the company of those who do the same and are pure of heart. Youthful lusts are not only sexual sins, but pride, haughtiness, flippancy, etc. The Bible says in the last days people will have an appearance of godliness, but denying the power thereof. If you are such, repent!
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Erlo Hartwig Stegen (1935 - 2023). South African missionary and revivalist of German descent, born on Mbalane farm near Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to Hermannsburg missionary descendants. Raised Lutheran, he left school after grade 10 to farm but felt called to ministry in 1952, evangelizing rural Zulus under apartheid. After 12 years of preaching with few lasting conversions, he experienced a transformative revival in 1966 at Maphumulo, marked by repentance and reported miracles. In 1970, he founded KwaSizabantu Mission (“place where people are helped”) in Kranskop, which grew into a self-sustaining hub with farms, a water bottling plant, and schools, serving thousands. Stegen authored Revival Among the Zulus and preached globally, establishing churches in Europe by 1980. Married with four daughters, he mentored Zulu leaders and collaborated with theologian Kurt Koch. His bold preaching drew 3 million visitors to KwaSizabantu over decades.